SAI Heidelberg Fellowship 2027 for Young Researchers [€1,200/Month; Travel & Rent Support]: Apply by Dec 1

The South Asia Institute (SAI), Heidelberg University, in cooperation with the Max Weber Forum for South Asian Studies Delhi, is inviting applications for a three-month research fellowship in Heidelberg, Germany.

The fellowship is open to young researchers from India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh who hold a doctorate and want to develop a research collaboration with SAI. Fellows will receive a monthly scholarship of €1,200, reimbursement of international travel expenses up to €1,500, and payment of rental costs.

Deadline: December 1, 2026, at 11:59 PM CET

Click here to apply for the SAI Heidelberg Fellowship 2027.

SAI Heidelberg Fellowship 2027: Highlights

• Organisers: South Asia Institute, Heidelberg University and Max Weber Forum for South Asian Studies Delhi
• Opportunity: Joint Scholarship Programme for Young Scholars from South Asia
• Eligible countries: India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh
• Academic requirement: Doctoral degree
• Location: Heidelberg, Germany
• Duration: Up to three months
• Starting period: Between April and June 2027
• Monthly scholarship: €1,200
• International travel support: Up to €1,500
• Accommodation: Rental costs paid
• Application mode: Online only
• Deadline: December 1, 2026, 11:59 PM CET
• Selection: By the end of December 2026

About the Fellowship

The fellowship helps early-career researchers from South Asia establish or develop research collaborations with the South Asia Institute at Heidelberg University.

During the stay, each Fellow will work on the project proposed in their application and develop it into a third-party funding application. The funding proposal may seek support for:

• A research project
• An academic exchange
• A conference or other event programme

Fellows are also expected to participate actively in academic events at SAI during their stay.

This is therefore not a general study scholarship. Applicants must propose a clear collaborative project capable of being developed into an external funding application.

Fellowship Benefits

Selected Fellows will receive:

• €1,200 per month for up to three months
• Up to €1,500 towards international travel expenses
• Payment of rental costs in Heidelberg
• Assistance from the SAI Delhi office with the visa application, where necessary
• Access to SAI’s academic environment and events
• Opportunity to establish a research collaboration at Heidelberg University

The information available does not specify limits or conditions applicable to rental payments. Selected Fellows should confirm these arrangements with the organisers.

Eligibility

Applicants should:

• Be young researchers from India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka or Bangladesh.
• Hold a doctoral degree—the doctoral certificate must be submitted.
• Propose a project that can be developed in collaboration with SAI.
• Be available to reside in Heidelberg for up to three months.
• Be able to begin the fellowship between April and June 2027.
• Be willing to participate in SAI’s academic activities.
• Provide two referees who may be contacted during the selection process.

A specific age limit has not been stated.

Preferred Research Fields

Applications are particularly encouraged from:

• Ethnology
• History
• Political science
• Economics
• Geography
• Modern languages and literatures of South Asia
• Cultural history of South Asia
• Religious history of South Asia
• Classical Indology

Researchers from these fields should explain how their proposed project connects with relevant expertise at SAI.

Documents Required

Applicants must upload the following documents as one combined PDF:

1. Cover letter of no more than one page
2. CV of no more than two pages, including up to ten major publications
3. Copy of doctoral certificate
4. Project description prepared using the prescribed template
5. List of two referees who have agreed to provide further information
6. Reference letter from an SAI member, if available—this is optional

Download the prescribed project-description template.

Multiple attachments will not be accepted.

What Should the Project Description Cover?

The project description should clearly explain:

• The proposed research or collaboration
• Its connection with the South Asia Institute
• Work planned during the fellowship
• The third-party funding opportunity to be developed
• Expected academic or institutional outcomes
• Why travel to Heidelberg is necessary
• How the applicant will participate in SAI’s academic environment

Applicants must also confirm that the proposed travel is necessary and that the intended experience or knowledge cannot reasonably be gained through another arrangement.

How to Apply?

1. Open the official online application portal.
2. Read and accept the data-protection information.
3. Complete the contact, academic and professional-information fields.
4. Download and complete the required project-description template.
5. Combine all required documents into one PDF.
6. Upload the single PDF under the attachments section.
7. Review the information and submit the form by December 1.

Applicants will receive an acknowledgement by email after submitting the form.

Applications sent by email will not be considered.

Important Conditions

• The Fellowship requires residence in Heidelberg.
• Applicants must submit a doctoral certificate.
• The project-description template is mandatory.
• All documents must be combined into one PDF.
• Two referees must be listed.
• A reference letter from an SAI member is optional, not compulsory.
• Applications submitted by email or through multiple attachments will not be accepted.
• The application cannot be treated as complete without all mandatory documents.

Selection Timeline

• Application deadline: December 1, 2026
• Selection: By the end of December 2026
• Fellowship commencement: Between April and June 2027
• Duration: Up to three months

Deadline

December 1, 2026, at 11:59 PM CET

Application Link

Click here to apply online for the SAI Heidelberg Fellowship 2027.

Official Notification

Click here to read the official fellowship announcement.